Shoe pressing machine



March 6, 1962 w. J. MILLER ETAL.

SHOE PRESSING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet' l w/L so 1J 6.5611905051?) 3,623,436 Patented Mar. 6, 1962 fig" This invention relates to a shoe last ironing and wiping mechanism wherein the upper leather section of a shoe being constructed has a portion of the leather ironed about the lower surface of a shoe last.

The present mechanism is adapted to iron the lower portion of a shoe upper about a shoe last. A last carrying the leather upper which is to be ironed will be placed upon a pair of pivotally converging wiping blocks and held in place by a heel pressing plate, The wiping block and the pressing plate will include heating means to aid in the ironing operation.

A pneurnatically operated power source will convey a holding pad down against the top of the shoe last and will simultaneously bring together the members of the wiping mechanism and press against the heel of the shoe last and ironing block. The source of power is derived from a pedal operation. A second actuation of the same pedal will reverse the pneumatic liow, thereby releasing the various moving parts from the ironing operation. Thus, a second manipulation or depression of the pedal will release the heel ironer, separate the wiping members and raise the holding pad away from the shoe last.

ln `addition to the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a machine which will iron the lower leather section of a shoe upper about a shoe last. More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a mechanism which will perform the described ironing operation automatically `and rapidly with complete assurance of a successful ironing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ironing mechanism of the type described which may be adjusted for various shoe sizes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an adjusting mechanism on an ironing machine of the class described, which adjusting mechanism incorporates a quick adjustment feature for various shoe sizes, thereby automatically accounting for the diierent problems presented by dierent shoe sizes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shoe ironing mechanism which incorporates heating elements to assist the ironing operation.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a shoe ironing mechanism which includes an adjusting feature which automatically adapts itself to the slope of the heel section.

Yet yanother object of the invention is to provide a heel ironing mechanism which will perform the desired ironing operation after the shoe last has been clamped into the mechanism and will complete the ironing operation before the shoe last is released from the mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shoe ironing mechanism having means for adapting to the various slope configurations of the sole section of a shoe last.

Still an additional object of the invention is to provide a heel ironing mechanism wherein the power source may be actuated while yet permitting complete freedom of use of the operators hands and arms.

Further objects will be apparent from the more detailed description of the invention which will follow.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a front elevational view of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an elevation view taken from the right side of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view in section taken along the lines 3 3 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged side view of the wiping mechanism with parts shown in section;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of one-half the wiping mechanism;

FIGURE 6 is a view in section taken along the lines 6 6 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a view in section taken along the lines 7 7 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is ia view in section taken along the lines 3 8 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a view in section taken along the lines 9 9 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE l0 is a view in section taken along the lines Iii-Ill of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE l1 is a view in section taken along the lines 11 11 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 12 is a view in section taken along the lines 12 12 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 13 is a plan view of the roller cam assembly;

FIGURE 14 is a partial front elevation view of the roller cam assembly;

FIGURE 15 is a partial front elevation of the wiping mechanism and camming assembly; and

FIGURE 16 is a view of the bottom of a shoe last and shoe upper after an ironing operation has been performed.

A frame 30 for the ironing mechanism is illustrated as comprised of a plurality of metal angle members welded together. The base of the frame 30 includes four angle members 3l, 32, 33 and 34 having their ends butt-welded together so as to form a rectangle upon which the mechanism may rest. A plurality of flat metal plates 35 may be welded to the corners beneath the base to provide feet for the structure.

The embodiment illustrated has a plurality of vertical corner posts 36, 37, 33 and 39, shown as angle members butt-welded to the base and extending upwardly in equal lengths. The outline of the frame 30 is completed with a plurality of angle members '40, 41, 42 and 43, butt-welded to the vertical members 36, 37, 38, and 39 in parallel fashion to the angle members 31, 32, 33 and 34 of the base.

Reinforcing braces m-ay be added to the frame as desired. In the illustrated embodiment, a cross bar 44 spans the distance between the angles 36 and 37 and a similar cross bar 45 extends between the angles 33 and 39. The bars 44 and 45 are placed parallel to and spaced between the base and the top of the frame.

A pair of angle members 46 and 47 are cut to fit between the members 36 and 39 and are each welded to the last mentioned angles for a purpose which will yappear. The portion of the frame presently being described is completed with a pair of mounting plates which include a plate 4S across the top of the frame parallel to the angle member "42 yand butt-welded to the angle members 41 and 43, and a plate 49 parallel to the angle member 31 and butt-welded to the angle members 32 and 34. The plates 43 and `49 will be used for mounting and supporting various elements `of the mechanism.

A housing 56 may be mounted on top of the base 30. The housing 56 is formed of a plurality of steel plates welded together and cut to shapes which will support the various elements of the machine in their functional positions as will appear. Accordingly, the housing 56 includes a pair of vertical walls 57 and 5S. The vertical walls or plates 57 and 5S are of identical shapes, each having a horizontal base 59 of roughly two-thirds the length of the angle members 41 and 43. Shorter still is a plate 60 welded to the bases 59 of the vertical plates. 57 and 58 in horizontal fashion. The plate 60 has a. rearward edge 61 and a forward edge 62. The rearward edge 61 is flush with the rear of the plates 57 and 58 while: the forward edge 62 terminates the plate 60 short of the: forward edges of the vertical plates 57 and 58. The hori-4 zontal plate 60 is approximately 1/3 the Width of the ma* chine, or of the angle members and 42. The horizontal plate and the bases 59 of the vertical plates 57 and 58 are Welded to the frame 30 by way of the angle.- member 42 and the plate 48.

Each of the vertical plates 57 and 5S has a foot-like portion formed by the base 59 and an upper surface 63 which is at an angle to the horizontal base. A vertical forward. wall 64 in each plate 57 and 58 intersects the upper and'V rearward end of the sloping edge 63 and cooperates with. a rearward vertical edge 65 of the plates 57 and 58 to define the vertical extension of each plate 57 and 58. At. its upper end this extension slants forwardly, the edge 64 joining a slanting edge 66 and the edge 65 joining a slant-- ing edge 67. The forward sloping portion of the plate defined by the edges 66 and 67 terminates in a vertical. edge 68 which is not as far forward as the toe of the. foot-like portion 63.

A plate 70 having a height equal to the length of the` vertical edge 68 has a length which permits the plate 70A to be butt-welded to each of the edges 68 of the platesy 57 and 58.

A relatively narrow plate 71 extends between the vertical plates 57 and 58 just rearwardly of the sloping edge: 63 so that the upper surface 72 of the plate '71 is co-4 planar with the sloping edge 63.

To support a vertical mounting surface forward of the plate 70, a pair of plates 76 and 77 are secured by bolts. 78 to the vertical plates 57 and 58. The plates 76 and. 77 extend forward of the plate 70 and have a vertical plate 79 butt-welded to the forward edge of each of them. The plate 79 extends above the before described elements: of the housing 56 to facilitate the mounting of an adjusting mechanism.

The adjusting mechanism 84 is attached to the plate 79 by a clamp 85 which may be cast in the shape shown. in FIGURES 1, 2, and 3. This casting 85 will have a threaded cylindrical section 86 and a wing 87 having countersunk holes 88 (FIGURE 9) by way of which bolts 89 may be used to secure the casting 85 to the plate 79.

A threaded shaft 90 extends through the casting 85 in rotatable cooperation with the threads of the pipe portion 86. The upper end of the shaft 90 has a wheel 91 attached to it in rigid fashion as at 92. A handle 93 may be freely rotatable upon the outer rim of the Wheel 91 to provide ease of turning. Thus, as the handle 93 is engaged by the operator to rotate the wheel 91, the shaft 90, which rotates with the wheel 91, will be caused to rise or descend within the threaded section 86 of the casting 85. A lower end 95 of the shaft 90 is finished to a relatively smooth horizontal bearing surface.

A pair of straps and 101 are bolted at 102 to the plate 79 and encircle so as to rigidly retain a hollow tubing 103. The tubing 103 is placed below the casting 85 so that its axis coincides with the axis of the threaded tubing 86. The inner surface 104 of the hollow tube 103 will preferably be machined to a smooth bearing surface.

A pair of diametrically opposed slots 107 and 108 are cut through the tube 103 so as to have an open end at the bottom of the tube.

A rod 110 is of such a diameter as to be slidable vertically within the hollow tube 103. The upper end 111 of the rod 110 may be squared olf to facilitate the attachment of a rapid Size compensator 112. The size compensator 112 may have a cast frame 113 of a size adapted to fit over the squared oif portion 111 of the rod 110 so that it may be bolted to the rod at 114 or otherwise conveniently attached thereto. The castingv 113 4 has a pair of ears 116 and 117 (FIGURE 10) extending upwardly from the body.

These ears have vertical slots 118 and 119 which are of an elongated shape. The upper surface of the casting 113 to which the ears 116 and 117 are attached at their base is in the form of a horizontal flat surface 121 (F1G- URE 8).

A shaft 123 extends through the slots 118 and 119. One end of the shaft 123 is elongated so as to extend beyond the casting 113 and has attached to it a handwheel 124 (FIGURE l0) by way of a setscrew 125. The opposite end of the shaft 123 may be cut off just beyond the ear 117.

Rigidly fixed to the shaft 123 between the ears 116 and 117 is a multiple faced element 130. The element 130 is Cut so that for every face thereon there is an opposite parallel face. Thus, as illustrated, the element has six faces which are useful in compensating for shoe size, the faces 131 and 132 being parallel and opposite, the faces 133 and 134 being parallel and opposite and the faces 135 and 136 likewise being parallel and opposite. It will also be noted that the distance between the various pairs of faces just described will vary with each pair. Accordingly, as the element 130 is rotated by rotation of the handle 124, the distance between the bearing surface 95 and the horizontal surface 121 may be varied accord'- ing to which set of faces of the element 130 is employed.

The shaft 110 has intermediate its ends a peg 140 extending through it having a short end 141 projecting through one side of the shaft 110 and a longer headed end 142 projecting from the other side of the shaft 110. The ends 141 and 142 of the peg 140 will ride within the slots `1017 and 108 as the shaft 110 moves vertically within the hollow pipe 103. A peg A-145 is rigid-ly attached to the vertical plate 79 above the peg 142i (it will be noted that the peg 142 extends far enough to have its end behind the vertical plate 79.) A tension spring 146 has its ends 147 and 148 connected to the pegs 142 and 1-45. When so connected the spring 146 is stressed so as to -bias the pegs 142 and 145 toward one another. The peg 145 being xed, the effect of the spring 146 is to urge the peg 142 upwardly and therewith the shaft 110. The upward urging of the shaft 1=10 tends to maintain the element 130 in contact with the end 95 of the threaded bolt 90 at all times.

The lower end of the shaft 1110 is planed off in opposite parallel surfaces 150 and 151 (FIGURE 1). A hole extending from the surface 150 through to surface 151 permits the rotational retainment of a short shaft 152. Fixedly secured to the extended ends of this shaft 152 are a pair of ears 153 and 154 of a holding plate 155. Thus, the plate 155 is pivotal about the end of the shaft `110.

The function of the adjusting mechanism heretofore described may be clearer upon a complete description of the instant invention, but it will be presently appreciated that the instant machine is adapted 4for use with all sizes of womens shoes. The adjusting mechanism is adapted to support a shoe by holding down the upper rear portion thereof. A rough adjustment is provided by rotation of the wheel 91 by way of the handle 93. This rotation of the threaded shaft 90 causes that shaft to move up or down within the casting 85. As the lower end of the bolt 90 moves upwardly or downwardly it determines the upper limits of the element 130 attached to the shaft 110 by way of the casting `113. The tension spring 146 constantly urges the shaft `110 in an upward direction. With the adjusting mechanism set for the longest and therefore the tallest shoe, the surfaces of the element 130, which are closest together, will be set in contact with the bolt 90 and the surface 121. The element 130, having its faces designed to correspond to the different shoe sizes, maybe subsequently rotated to permit the machine to accommodate a smaller shoe. Accordingly, as a pair of surfaces of the element 130 which are further apart are placed in contact with the bolt 90 and the surface 121, the vertical slots 118 and 119 will permit the shaft 110 to move downwardly against the bias of the tension spring 146. Thus, the element 130 provides a rapid size adjustment feature alleviating the necessity for rotation of the wheel 91 for every different size shoe.

A holding mechanism 163 for retaining a shoe in the machine may include a pneumatic air cylinder 164 bolted at 165 and 166 to the vertical plate 70. The pneumatic air cylinder 164 will 4be of a conventional type having an air inlet connection 167 an-d an air outlet connection 168 which may be coaxial with the attaching nut 165 and 166. In the conventional pneumatic air cylinder of the type being described, a piston 170 is axially movable within the cylinder according to whether air is injected into the cylinder or taken out in a manner to be described. 'Ihe piston 170, in the instant application of the air cylinder 164, wil have a threaded end 171 for the attachment of the adjustable holding means. A casting 172 of inverted T-shape has a nut portion 173 integral with it which has a threaded portion for mating with the threaded portion 171 of the piston 170. The T-shaped section 172, has the base of the T elongated from either side of the shank 174 of which the threaded nut portion 173 is a part. A pair of wings or flanges 175 of the inverted T are similarly elongated as illustrated in FIG- URE l1.

A slider 179 is adapted for sliding engagement with the anges 175 of the inverted T-shape casting 172. For this purpose, the slider 179 has a pair of opposed elongated horizontal flanges 180, each connected to a vertical portion 181 which is in turn connected to a common horizontal portion 182. The ilanges 180 are separated by a distance greater than the thickness of the shank 173 of the casting 172 and are also separated from the horizontal portion 182 by a distance greater than the thickness of the skirts 175 of the casting 172. Therefore the slider 179 may slide freely along the length of the casting 172 while being retained thereon by the flange 180.

One side of the slider 179 will have a threaded hole 184 through which a thumb screw or key 185 may rotate. An end 186 of the key 185 will extend through to the inner side of the slider 179 and opposite the edge of a Skirt 175 of the casting 172. When the key 185 is rotated so as to extend the end 186 thereof, the slider 179 may be locked frictionally against sliding movement along the casting 172.

The bottom surface of the slider 179 has a cylindrical extension 188 which is threaded at its ends 189. A at plate 190 has a narrowed top which is internally threaded to be attached to the cylindrical portion 188 of the slider 179. The at plate 190, which may be of a generally rectangular shape, will have a buier 191 attached to its lower surface. The buffer 191 may be of a sponge-like substance such as rubber or plastic.

A pair of wipers comprising a wiper assembly 192 are pivotally mounted to the plate 72 by a bolt 193. As can been seen, the wiper assembly 192 includes two separate sections. Each section has a base block 194 which is generally rectangular in shape as viewed from the top and which has a flat arm 195 depending from one end 196. Through the arm 195 is a hole 197 by which the bolt 193 attaches the -block 192 to the plate 72. The arm 195 is set over somewhat toward the opposing block so that the arms of each block may be arranged in tandem, thereby being pivotal about a single point 193.

The block 194 will have a plurality of holes 198 through it, for slidably accommodating a plurality of bolts 206, 207, 288, 209 and 210 for a purpose which will be made clear. The bolts 206 through 218 have flat heads 211, 212, 213, `214, and 215 of larger diameter than that of the hole with which each is associated.

Each rectangular block 194 has a valley 218 cut into its top surface and extending most of the distance defined by the length of the block 194. These valleys 218 serve as 8 a guide to position the wiper blocks which are attached to the bolts 206 through 210.

The blocks 194 each have two sections `220 and 221 associated with them. The sections 220 and 221 are arranged in line from the front toward the back of the mechanism. The forward section 220 has a lower plate '222 into which the bolts 206, 207 and 208 are threaded. Each of the bolts 206, 207 and 208 extends from the plate 222 an equal distance so that the plate 222 will be parallel to the rectangular block 194 when the heads 211, 212 and 213 abut the lower surface of that rectangular block 194.

Arranged between the plate 222 and the rectangular block V194 about the bolts 206, 207 and -208 are a plurality of compression coil springs .223, 224 and 225 which tend to maintain the plate 222 and the block 194 separated at all times. The plate 222 has a at extension 227 corresponding to the valley 218 of the lower block 194.

A plate 232 has a plurality of countersunk holes 233 and 234 to facilitate its attachment by bolts 235 and 236 to the plate 222. The upper surface 238 of the plate 232 has a portion 239 which is cut out in a shape to conform to a part of the sole of the last which is to be placed against it.

Attached to the remaining bolts 209 and 210 is a plate 243. The plate 243 has a flat extension 244 which will tit into the valley 218 when the plate 243 is depressed into contact with the block 194.

A pair of bolts 245 and 246 may be used to attach a plate 247 to the plate 243 by way of countersunk holes 249 and 249. The plate 247 has a portion of its upper surface 251 cut away to provide a rounded bottoming area 252 for that part of the shoe last which may be pressed upon the plate 247. The area 252 cooperates with the area 239 of the plate 232 to provide a contoured area which will conform generally to the shape of the sole of a shoe last. It will be recognized that the contoured surface formed by the cut outs 239 and 252 together forms only one-half of the surface upon which a shoe last will rest, the other half of that surface being provided by a pair of blocks similar to but opposite to the blocks 232 and 247.

An arm 258 is attached to each block 194 at its lower forward surface and at an angle to the block 194 so that when the block 194 is mounted upon the plate 71 the arms 258 will be generally vertical. Each arm 258 acts as a cam follower for determining the position of the ironing mechanism 192. The cam followers 258 each curve inwardly at their lower ends 259 (as viewed in FIGURE l5). The arms 258 have a slightly reduced section 260 at their tops to eliminate any' interference by adjacent parts of the frame 30 with the movement of the arms 258.

Engaging the arms 258 is a three roller camming device 265. As can be seen also from FIGURES 13 and 14, the camming device 265 includes one vertical plate 266 to which are equal spaced and attached three rollers 268, 269 and 270 by means of bolts 271, 272 and 273. The heads 274 of the bolts 271, 272 and 273 may be at the ends of the rollers 268, 269 and 270 opposite the plate 266 whereas the bolts may be attached to that plate by nuts 275, 276 and 277. If proper locking means are utilized, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the arrangement of the rollers upon the plate 266 may be such that the rollers 268, 269 and 270 are freely rotatable about the bolts 271, 272 and 273 by which they are attached to the plate 266.

The plate 266 may include a downwardly extending projection 279 to provide a means of a welding attachment of the plate 266 to an arm 282. The arm 282 is elbow-shaped, having a vertical portion 283 and a horizontal portion 284. The plate 266 is welded to the upper end 285 of the vertical portion 283, and the upper end 285 may be cut away as at 286 for that purpose. Oppo- 7 `site the plate 266, an S-shaped member 288 is welded to the end 285 of the vertical` arm 283. The member 288 has a hole 289 through it.

The end 290 of the arm 284 is welded to a bifurcated member 291. The member 291 may comprise a plate folded so that the two forks 292 and 293 will be parallel `to one another.

The forks 292 and 293 will surround the endv 290 of the arm 284 and extend at right angles to the arm 284. The ends of the forks 292 and 293 Vhave holes 294 and 295 through them to accommodate a bolt 296. The bolt 296 provides a pivotal attachment for an arm 300 between the forks 292 and 293 and extending upwardly therefrom.

The arm 300 extends upwardly from the member 291 to a point slightly above the wiping mechanism 192 at which. point a block 302 is welded to it. The block 302 will be wider than a shoe last and at least as long as the heel portion of such a last. The block 302 has a pair of ears 303 at its sides.

A second block 305 is pivotally mounted upon the Lblock 302 by means of a transverse pivot pin 306 which extends through holes in the ears 303. The plate or block ,305 is slightly curved to conform to the shape of the heel section of a shoe last.

A threaded hole 310 extends through the arm 300 `opposite the S-shaped member 288. A bolt 312 extends through the threaded hole 310 and has a handle 313 fixedly attached to one end. The other end of the bolt 312 passes through the hole 289 in the member 288 and v`has nuts 314 and 315 von opposite sides of the member 288. By turning the handle 313 the bolt 312 and the nuts 314 and 315 will rotate, moving the arm 300 toward or away from the arm 283. Thus, the blocks 302 and 305 yagainst which a heel portion of a shoe last is to rest may be moved forward or rearward relative to the wiping,`

mechanism 192 according to the size of the shoe last. The bifurcated member 291 is attached to a shaft 320 .by means of a nut 321 which will be turned onto the threaded end of the shaft 320 after that shaft has been passed through holes in the bifurcated member 291 and the arm 284 provided for that purpose. Another nut 322 limits the insertion of the shaft 320 and serves to tighten that shaft to the member 291. The shaft 320 forms part of a piston movable within an air cylinder 325 which is attached by bolts 326 to the cross members 46 and 47 of the frame 30. The cylinder 325 is similar to the cylinder 164 and has a `pair of air connections 330 and f 331. The air cylinder 325 and piston 320 determine the Vmechanism 192 will pivot together about their pivot 193.

During this motion, it is the two outermost cam rollers 268 and 270 which operate against the outer surface of the arms 258 to urge those arms inwardly.

.As the shaft 320 moves downwardly again the heel ironing plate 305 will move downwardly away from the heel of the shoe last and the cam rollers will simultaneously move downwardly. Upon downward movement, the central cam roller 269 will operate upon the inner surfaces of the cam follower 258, and, as the cam roller 269 moves downwardly, it will urge those arms 258 apart, thereby separating the blocks which comprise the wiping mechanism 192.

Although the air cylinders 164 and 325 are conventional designs and as such are not of themselves part of vthis invention, the power lines between these cylinders may be brieydescri-bed. Thecylinder .164 will have an air inlet line, which may be assumed to be the line 335, and an air outlet line which may be assumed to bekthe line 336. The cylinder 325 will have an air inlet line which may be assumed to be the line 338, and an air outlet line which may be assumed to be the line 339. Both air inlet lines 335 and 338 may be connected by appropriate piping, such as a T-joint 340, to a single air output terminal 341 of a conventional valve box 342. Similarly the air outlet line 336 and 339 may be connected by a T-piping 343 to a single air inlet terminal 344 of the valve box 342.

The valve box 342, which may -be conveniently attached near the base of the frame 30 as by bolts 350 through the frame members 31 and 49, is of the type operated by a foot pedal. Upon initial operation of the foot pedal 354 compressed air, which may be obtained by way of an air input line 355 to the valve box 342, will be passed into the lines 33'5 and 338. In other words, the initial operation of the foot pedal 354 connects the line 335 and 338 with the line 355. The valve box 342 is designed to maintain that connection until a second operation of the pedal 354 is lmade. Upon that second operation of the `foot pedal 354, the connection Ibetween the lines 335 and 338 and the line 355 will be broken and in its place a connection will be made between the lines 335 and 338 with an air exhaust terminal 356 in the valve box 342.

The shoe last is manually held in position against the plate until the last is engaged by the machine. It will 4be observed that the piston 170 'will travel only a relatively short distance before engaging the upper portion of a shoe last compared to the greater distance traveled by the piston 320 before it reaches its maximum upward distance. Because of this difference in the distance traveled between the two pistons `and 320, the holding pad 191 will reach the top of the shoe last being worked upon before the heel ironer plate 305 engages the shoe last and before the wiping mechanism 192 has its block pivoted together. By this means, the shoe last is well maintained in the mechanism before the ironing operation is begun.

vIt is desired to apply heat with the ironing and wiping operation. For this purpose the heel block and wiping mechanism block are heated by conventional heat cartridges of a type well known in the `art. Such heel car tridges may comprise two lines 360 and 361 connected to cartridges 362 and 363 in the heel block 302. The lines v 360 and 361 will be connected to a conventional alternating current source. The blocks 302 and 305, being constructed of a heat conducting material, such as copper or brass, will assure the transfer of heat from the block 302 to the block 305. Heat will ybe further distributed throughout the latter block. Accordingly, the block 305 will supply heat to the heel of a shoe last.

Similarly, a pair of lines 367 and 368 connect to a pair of heaters 369 and 370. The lines 367 and 368 will be connected to a conventional source of A.C. current. Since the blocks comprising the sections 220 and 221 of the wiping mechanism 192 will be constructed also of a heat conducting substance, the heat derived from the heaters 369 and 370 will be distributed throughout the section 220 and transferred to the section 221 for distribution throughout that block. The application of heat to the block 305 and the sections 220 and 221, which may range between 2S() and 350 degrees F., assures the success of the ironing operation.

Operation In readiness for use, the machine hereinbefore described will be in such condition that the air has been exhausted from the cylinders 164 and 325 which control the various ironing mechanisms. The holding pad 191 connected to the piston 170 will accordingly be -in a raised position away from the shoe last, and the heel ironing plate 305 will be loweredaway from the shoe last. The two pivotal halves of the wiping mechanism 192 will be separated about their common pivot 193.

During the course of use, the machine may -be applied to all sizes of any particular shoe style with the only adjustment necessary being the manipulation of the rapid adjustment mechanism 112. The only limitation beyond the scope of the rapid adjustment mechanism 112 is the length of the heel which is to be attached to the completed product. In other words, the machine may be set for automatic accommodation of all shoe sizes for any one heel length, but if shoes which are to use a different heel length are to be operated upon, a new setting of the holding plate 155 by way of the wheel 91 will be necessary.

To begin an operation, the operator may select the largest shoe last upon which operation is to be performed. This last may be inserted into the mechanism by placing the sole of such a shoe last upon the blocks which cornprise the wiping mechanism 192. With this shoe last so placed and manually held there, the mechanism may be set for the above-described series of operations by rotating the wheel 91 by means of the handle 93. For this rotation the quick adjusting element 112 should be set so that the minimum distance between the shaft 95 and the plate 155 is attained. Thereafter, if the plate 155 is lowered by rotation of the wheel 91 so that it rests upon the rear portion of the shoe last S, the mechanism will be set for operation upon a series of sizes. Thus, as Smaller shoe lasts are inserted into the mechanism (with attendant shorter distance vertically between the sole and the upper portion), the adjusting element 112 may be rotated to lengthen the distance between the plate 155 and the shaft 95, that is, to lower the plate 155. The various faces 131 through 136 of the rotatable element 130 are arranged in such pairs that the quick adjustments provided by rotation of the element 13G` will adequately compensate for the difference in the vertical distance between the sole and the top of a shoe last which results from different shoe sizes.

It will be recognized that the plate 155 is pivotable about the end of the shaft 151 so that if the upper rear section of a shoe last is not perfectly horizontal, or if this surface varies in its angle to the horizontal, the plate 155 will pivot to rest as at as possible against the shoe last.

The second adjustment which may be accomplished with the machine before a series of operation is begun is the lateral pivoting of the heel block 305 forward or rearward of the mechanism by rotation of the bolt 310 by its handle 313. By this means, the block 3115 may be set to a position immediately beneath the heel section of a shoe last S. Unlike the holding `block 155, it is not to be considered ordinarily necessary to adjust the heel ironing block 305 for various shoe sizes inasmuch as that block is long enough to perform the intended ironing function for a complete normal series of shoe lengths.

When the holding plate 155 and the heel ironing plate 335 have been adjusted `for the operation of the machine, a shoe last S may be placed with the sole thereof upon the block of the wiping mechanism 192. Such a shoe last will comprise a form, which is usually wooden, having the upper leather portion U of a shoe wrapped around it. The lower edges of the leather are to be folded and ironed about the under surface of the shoe last.

When such a shoe last is manually placed and held upon the wiping mechanism 192, the upper surface of the rear section of the last will press against the holding plate 155, since that plate will have been set for such a purpose. The shoe last may then be grasped by the operator upon either side thereof to steady it. (it will be appreciated that the pedal operation of the machine permits the free use of both hands by the operator to steady the shoe last being ironed.)

With the shoe last S in place, the pedal 354 will be initially operated. Upon operation of that pedal, the valve 342 causes compressed air from the line 355 connected to a compressed air source (not shown) to be connected to the single terminal 341. Since a pair of lines 335 and 338 are connected to the terminal 341, cornpressed air Will be admitted through those lines to the cylinders 325 and 164. This compressed air will cause the piston 326 and 170, respectively, of those cylinders toibe extended from the cylinders. (The valve 342 also causes the terminal 344 to be connected to exhaust when the pedal 354 is initially operated so that the lines 336 and 339 can exhaust one end of their respective cylinders as the pistons move.) The piston having a relatively short distance to travel will meet the end of its extension first so that the soft holding pad 191 will engage the upper forward portion of the shoe last and hold it against the wiping mechanism 191. Immediately following, the piston 320 will be extended upwardly carrying with it the heel ironing block 305 and, by means of -the two extreme rollers 263 and 270, the cam `followers 258 will be urged together, pivoting together the blocks of the wiping mechanism 91. The Valve block 342 is designed to hold the machine in that immediately described condition until a second depression yof the pedal 354 occurs. Meanwhile, as the heel ironing block 305 rests `against the heel portion of the shoe last and as the wiping mechanism 191 remains in the wiping position, heat is supplied to these various blocks by means of the heaters 362, 363 and 376.

After a predetermined time during which suicient heat will have -been supplied (a matter of a few seconds) the `foot pedal 354 will be operated la second time. Upon the second operation of the pedal 354, the valveblock 342 causes the shifting of the various line connections. The connection of the terminal 341 with the line 355 is broken so that no more compressed air passes from the line 355 to the lines 335 and 338. Instead, the terminal 344 is connected to the air exhaust terminal 356. Since the terminal 344 also connects to the lines 335 and 339, whichrare the exhaust lines from the two air cylinders 164 and 325, those cylinders will be exhausted of the compressed air which originally caused the extension of their respective cylinders 170 and 320. With the creation of a vacuum within the cylinders 164 and 325 as is conventional in the art, the pistons 170 and 320 will be retracted within the cylinders 164 and 325, respectively. (An appropriate means may be provided `for normally lbiasing the pistons toward retracted position, or the valve 342 might be constructed to provide positive air pressure from the line 355 to the terminal 344 when the foot pedal is operated for a second time. As has been stated, the precise details of the cylinders 164 and 325 of the valve 342 are not features of the invention.) The rst to retract will be the piston 320 so that the heel ironing block 305 will be released from the heel and the wiping mechanism 191 will be pivoted away before the holding pad 191 releases the shoe last. As the piston 320 moves downwardly, the central cam roller 269 engages the inner surfaces of the cam followers 258 causing the separation of the blocks about their common pivot Following the retraction of the piston 320 is the retraction of the piston 170 thereby releasing the shoe last and placing the mechanism in readiness for another shoe last ironing operation. Of course, if the next shoe last is of a different size but in the same series of heel size, the wheel 124 may be operated to provide quick adjustment for the new shoe size as has been already described.

lt will be noted that the spring action and place separation of each pivotable section of the wiping mechanism 192 provides extreme flexibility for the various shoe sizes. As the shoe size becomes shorter the sole of the Shoe will be placed further forward upon this wiping mechanism 191. The separation of the blocks into two sections 220 and 221 for each pivoting section permits greater conformity of the wiping mechanism to the sloping under surface of the sole of the shoe last.

Various changes and modifications may be made within spaanse this invention as will be apparent to those skilled in 'ij/comprises a pair of block means, each of the block means art. Such changes-and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the type described, a heated shoe sole wiping mechanism; a heated heel ironing mechanism; adjustable heel holding means; movable sole holding means; and timed actuating means for operating said wiping mechanism, said ironing mechanism and said sole holding means in a predetermined sequence whereby to perform an ironing and a wiping operation upon the sole while holding said sole in position for same.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the timed actuating means includes a movable shaft and a power supply for moving the movable shaft, means for connecting said heel ironing mechanism and said sole wiping mechanism to the shaft whereby the respective ironing and wiping operations are accomplished substantially simultaneously.

3. The device of claim 1 including means for adjusting the distance relationship between the heel ironing mechanism and the sole wiping mechanism.

4. The ldevice of Vclaim 1 wherein the heel holding means is adjustable fordifferent heel sizes through a tirst mechanism and is 'adjustable for different shoe sizes through a second mechanism. Y

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the second mechanism 4includes cam means for adjusting the vertical position of the heel holding means.4

6. The device of claim 2 whereinj the power supply for the mechanism comprises a pedal actuated `valve means interconnecting with a pneumatic system.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein separatepiston and cylinder means are provided for operating the ironing and wiping, mechanism on the `one hand and the holding mechanism on theother'.

8. A machine for ironing leather'about a shoe last comprising a frame, a plate supported by the frame 'for abutting the upper rearward portion of the last, a shoe wiping assembly supported lby the frame `for ironing the under surface of the forward part of the last, a resilient pad movable between a retracted position and anl operative position for pressing the forward Aportion of the last against the wiping assembly, 'a heel ironingr member below the plate and movable between a retracted position and an operative position `for ironing the heel portion 'of the last, means for moving the pad to its operative lposition and means for moving the heel ironing member1 to its operative position simultaneously with the pad moving means, the distance between the retracted and operative positions of the pad being less than the distance between the retracted and operative positions of the heel ironing `member so that the pad will press against the last before the last is contacted by the heel ironing member and will hold the last in place against the wiping assembly while the heel ironing member irons the heel portion of the shoe.

9, The machine of claim 8 wherein the wiping assembly being' pivotally attached to the frame, the block means being pivotal toward and away from one another, a cam follower arm depending downward from each of the block means, a movable cam assembly for moving the cam follower arms toward and away from one another to move the block means toward and away from one another, and means controlled by the movement of the heel ironing member for moving the cam assembly.

10. The lmachine of claim 9 wherein the last named means comprises an arm attached to the cam assembly, the heel ironing member being attached to a vertically movable rod assembly, and the arm being attached to the rod assembly.

11. The machine of claim 1G wherein the rod assembly includes a pivotal rod connected to a vertically movable bracket, the heel ironing lmember being attached to the rod, the arm being attached to the bracket, and means for pivoting the rod about the bracket to adjust the position of the heel ironing member relative to the wiping assembly. l

12. A machine for ironing leather about a shoe last comprising a sole wiping assemblyga heel ironing plate, and plate means above the heel ironing plate for pressing against the upper surface of the rear portion of the last to clamp the last between the plate means and the heel ironing plate, the plate means being supported by a substantially vertical rod', cam means for`providing incremental vertical adjustment of the rod, and screw means for vertically adjusting the position of the cammeans.

- 13. The machine of claim 12 wherein the cam means comprises a rotatable wheel having a plurality of planar faces consecutively rotatable against an end of the rod, each-face of the wheel being at a different distance from the axis of rotation of the Wheel according to the diierent ,sizes of shoe lasts toy be operated upon by the machine, the plate means being supported at the other end of the-rod, andrneans'for biasing the rod against the wheel.

14.l The machine of ,claim `13 wherein the wheel has axial projectionson opposite sides thereof and the machine includes a pair ofy spaced plates with vertical slots therein,`the wheel being positioned between the plates with the projections extending into the slots to provide vertical movement 4of the wheel and the screw means are positioned above the wheel for adjusting thervertical position of the wheel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,160,967 Asmus Nov. 16, 1915 1,694,450 Ricks et al. Dec. 11, 1928 1,767,106 Winkler et al. June 24, 1930 1,951,373 Pyrn Mar. 20, 1934 2,075,908 Pym Apr. 6, 1937 2,095,245 Finn Oct. 12, 1937 2,172,372 Firm Sept. 12, 1939 

